Custom glass sourcing

[skridlov]

Among the items in my watch mausoleum I have this Tiffany & Co pocket watch. I don't think it's particularly interesting but with a decent lens it may be saleable. I'm trying to source a replacement or, alternatively, get a lens made. I'd appreciate a lead for UK based suppliers for either route. Any other observations about it would also be appreciated.

Roy

 

Edited February 16, 2017 by skridlov

[wls1971]

Looks to me like its a travel type clock come pocket watch does the outer egde of the watch fold out and form a stand for placing on a bedside cabinet or the like ? could be more valuable than you think.

 

[skridlov]

5 minutes ago, wls1971 said:

Looks to me like its a travel type clock come pocket watch does the outer egde of the watch fold out and form a stand for placing on a bedside cabinet or the like ? could be more valuable than you think.

 

You're right of course. It has a "frame" which can be folded out to use as a stand but lacks any alarm functions etc. But how to replace the glass?

Roy

[ro63rto]

Never tried them but....

http://www.crystalfit.co.uk/

Sent from my Honor 5c

[skridlov]

Many thanks. They look like the perfect source (until or if proved otherwise!)

Roy

[wls1971]

Where are you based in the U.K there is a repair shop in the birmingham jewellery quarter thats a bricks and mortar place,

https://www.creativewatch.co.uk/service-and-repairs/glass-replacement-service

All the others seem to be internet based and I wouldnt risk sending a watch to them the web sites look dodgy to me.

 

[skridlov]

I'm in West Sussex. There are a lot of suppliers in London but it's getting more and more difficult to find skilled people who are affordable for lower-end items. I would only send the bezel for this one (although losing it would be almost as disastrous as losing the whole piece. The Post Office's "compensation" scheme ("It's NOT insurance"!) is appalling. I've written off lost items sent to Europe because of their obstruction and unhelpfulness.

Sometimes you have to take a chance.

Roy

[skridlov]

Actually the bezel can't be easily separated. I'm getting bamboozled by the number of items I'm handling.

Roy

[wls1971]

49 minutes ago, skridlov said:

difficult to find skilled people who are affordable for lower-end items

I woulldnt describe your watch as a low end item I can easily see this item fetching somewhere between £400-600 in a specialist auction.

[ro63rto]

Crystalfit IS a "Bricks & Mortar" place.
Only take 2 secs and Google to tell you that.

CrystalFit
J R Centre
2a East Street
Bromley
Kent BR1 1QX




Sent from my Honor 5c

[wls1971]

56 minutes ago, skridlov said:

The Post Office's "compensation" scheme ("It's NOT insurance"!)

I know what you mean genrally I find the post office to be very good having had only one nasty experience with them years ago I sent a Omega military watch and a Eterna sonic watch to a collector in the U.S I took out compensation on the items and got a receipt for them. The items never arrived and the Post office had no record of the items being sent, they basically went missing as soon as I handed them to the post office worker watches with a declared value of £700.00 just evaporated in his hands ( I wonder where they went ). The onus was then put on me to prove the value of the items the whole thing took about 3 months before they paid out.

[wls1971]

18 minutes ago, ro63rto said:

Crystalfit IS a "Bricks & Mortar" place.
Only take 2 secs and Google to tell you that

Yes it is but I didnt see them when I searched I did find one other based in a semi in whales which basically said send us your watch for an estimate and a similar one in London of course due dilligence is required when sending anywhere.

Edited February 16, 2017 by wls1971

[skridlov]

I got a swift and intelligent query from Crystalfit within half an hour of asking for a quote (querying the profile.) As far as I can see they're well presented.

My comment about "low end" was general, not confined to this piece, which is obviously unusual. Pretty pedestrian movement though.

Thanks for all the contributions. It's always interesting to get a few perspectives o loin g as it doesn't degenerate into an argument!

Roy